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cnbc.com
Trump to decide whether to attack Iran in next 10 days — oil prices rise
The U.S. has launched a major military buildup in the Middle East is it threatens Iran with potential military strikes.
bbc.com
Lobbying firm co-founded by Mandelson on brink of collapse
Global Counsel says administrators will take control on Friday, blaming the "maelstrom" surrounding Mandelson.
cnbc.com
Mark Zuckerberg said he reached out to Apple CEO Tim Cook to discuss 'wellbeing of teens and kids'
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stand in a closely watched social media and safety trial that could reshape the industry.
cnbc.com
Kennedy defends Trump glyphosate order; MAHA erupts as midterms approach
President Donald Trump on Wednesday invoked the Defense Production Act to spur the domestic production of glyphosate and elemental phosphorus.
cnbc.com
U.S. trade deficit totaled $901 billion in 2025, barely budging despite Trump's tariffs
The U.S. trade deficit swelled in December, closing out a year in which the imbalance was essentially unchanged.
bbc.com
Microsoft error sees confidential emails exposed to AI tool Copilot
The company says it has addressed the issue and it "did not provide anyone access to information they weren't already authorised to see".
cnbc.com
U.S. says Tehran would be ‘very wise’ to make a deal as Russia, Iran hold naval drills
It comes shortly after Vice President JD Vance accused Iran of failing to address core U.S. demands during nuclear talks in Geneva.
theguardian.com
Accenture ‘links staff promotions to use of AI tools’
Consulting firm keen to increase uptake of technology and is reportedly monitoring adoption by workforceAccenture has reportedly started tracking staff use of its AI tools and will take this into consideration when deciding on top promotions, as the consulting company tries to increase uptake of the technology by its workforce.The company told senior managers and associate directors that being promoted to leadership roles would require “regular adoption” of artificial intelligence, according to an internal email seen by the Financial Times. Continue reading...
bbc.com
US trade deficit hits fresh high despite Trump's tariffs
The US bought more goods than it sold in 2025 as the White House attempts to reverse the flow.
cnbc.com
European stocks end lower as investors parse Airbus, Renault earnings
European stocks finished lower on Thursday as investors parse through Airbus and Renault earnings.
theguardian.com
Global Counsel calls in administrators, blaming Peter Mandelson ‘maelstrom’
Advisory firm has lost string of clients despite efforts to cut ties with co-founder after Epstein revelationsGlobal Counsel, the advisory firm co-founded by Peter Mandelson, is to collapse into administration, blaming the “maelstrom” caused by revelations about the former peer’s relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.Companies including Barclays, Tesco and the Premier League have all deserted Global Counsel, despite the company’s efforts to sever ties with Mandelson and the company’s co-founder Benjamin Wegg-Prosser. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
King Charles' brother Andrew arrested on suspicion of misconduct
U.K. police on Thursday arrested King Charles III's brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
cnbc.com
Fed officials split on where interest rates should go, minutes say
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday released minutes from its Jan. 27-28 meeting.
cnbc.com
Blue Owl curbs investor liquidity following asset sale, shares plunge 8%
Private credit specialist Blue Owl said it will restrict quarterly liquidity for investors in its retail-focused debt fund.
bbc.com
Pubs to open late for home nations World Cup knockout games
Football fans will be able to enjoy an extra round at the pub thanks to new rules during the men's World Cup.
cnbc.com
Accenture tells senior staff to use AI tools or risk losing out on leadership promotions
Accenture started tracking how often senior staff are logging in to its AI tools this month saying AI adoption will be a "visible input to talent discussions."
cnbc.com
Apple sued by West Virginia for alleged failure to stop child sexual abuse material on iCloud, iOS devices
The lawsuit accuses Apple of prioritizing privacy branding and its own business interests over child safety.
theguardian.com
UK manufacturing still beset by low orders and price pressure, says CBI
Industrial trends survey shows firms are expecting to raise prices, with order books well below averageBritish manufacturing orders remain well below average and price pressure continues to persist, according to a closely watched survey.The CBI industrial trends survey found that manufacturers’ orders for the month were below average in February, while most firms expected to raise their prices and for output to decline over the next three months. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Made in Europe’ EU industrial strategy could hit supply chains, UK minister warns
Nick Thomas-Symonds says move could also create unnecessary UK-EU trade barriers and increase costsBusiness live – latest updatesA British minister has warned that the EU’s “Made in Europe” industrial strategy could hit supply chains, increase costs and create unnecessary trade barriers between the UK and some members of the bloc.Nick Thomas-Symonds, the UK minister for EU relations, made the comments as the EU is preparing to publish legislation that would require European-made products to be prioritised in public procurement and consumer schemes. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
U.S. renews threat to quit the International Energy Agency over net zero agenda
U.S. energy chief Chris Wright said the U.S. would pressure the global energy watchdog to move away from its net zero agenda over the coming months.
theguardian.com
Horse meat set to be banned in Italy amid draft equine bill
Law defines animals including horses, donkeys and mules as pets and is backed by opposition partiesItaly could soon ban horse meat as part of a law that would define equine animals including horses, donkeys and mules as pets, making it illegal to kill them.The bill has been drafted by Michela Vittoria Brambilla, a politician with Noi Moderati, a member of Giorgia Meloni’s ruling coalition, and is backed by opposition parties. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Amid Epstein fallout, Bill Gates becomes point of controversy at India AI summit
Bill Gates has become a point of controversy at a major Indian AI festival this week, amid the fallout of the latest Epstein file release.
cnbc.com
Why New Balance's 'dad shoes' are beating Nike as sales surge 19%
New Balance grew sales 19% to $9.2 billion in 2025 as its emphasis on street-wear styles and performance resonate with a wide range of shoppers.
cnbc.com
Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol gets life sentence over martial law attempt
The ruling, delivered by Seoul Central District Court judge Jee Kui-youn, was lighter than the death penalty prosecutors sought in January.
cnbc.com
Russia's Putin slams U.S. oil blockade on Cuba: 'We do not accept anything like this'
His comments come as the Caribbean island nation grapples with a worsening economic crisis.
cnbc.com
OpenAI and Anthropic’s rivalry on display as CEOs avoid holding hands at AI summit
OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Anthropic’s Dario Amodei had an awkward moment at a major AI summit, with the two CEOs of competing AI giants opting not to link hands.
cnbc.com
Chinese tech companies progress 'remarkable,' OpenAI's Altman tells CNBC
Top tech executives gathered in India this week for the AI summit in New Delhi.
theguardian.com
How the anxiety over AI could fuel a new workers’ movement
New technology has workers spooked, but experts say it’s creating an opening for a resurgence in worker powerIn 2026, it’s a scary time to work for a living.Gone are the days of quiet quitting, the Great Resignation, and the highly visible union-organizing battles that began the decade and signaled that perhaps worker power was on the rise again in the US. Instead, much of that momentum is being crowded out of our minds by anxieties: a worsening affordability crisis, geopolitical instability and the specter of artificial intelligence looming over the workplace. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Trump order pushes glyphosate production; Roundup chemical hated by MAHA
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again movement is largely opposed to glyphosate.
cnbc.com
United Airlines is paring back rewards for travelers who don't have its credit card in MileagePlus overhaul
United Airlines is overhauling its MileagePlus loyalty program to reward customers who have the carrier's credit card over those without it.
theguardian.com
‘We’re not hippies’: why these Iowa farmers swapped pigs for mushrooms
Faaborgs rail against oppressive industrial agricultural system with unexpected evolution into indie artisan food firmAs a sixth-generation Iowa farmer, Tanner Faaborg is all too aware that agricultural traditions are hard to shake. So when he set in motion plans to change his family’s farm from a livestock operation housing more than 8,000 pigs each year to one that grows lion’s mane and oyster mushrooms, he knew some of his peers might laugh at him. He just did not necessarily expect his brother to be chief among them.“My older brother has worked with pigs his entire adult life, managing about 70,000 of them across five counties,” Faaborg says. “But we got to a point where he went from laughing at me to saying: well, I guess maybe I’ll quit my job and help you out.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Airbus suggests split solution for Europe’s faltering fighter jet programme
Aerospace firm proposes two separate warplanes amid dispute over who leads €100bn projectAirbus has suggested splitting Europe’s faltering future fighter jet programme into two separate warplanes, amid a dispute between manufacturers over who leads the €100bn (£87bn) project.The company’s defence arm – which represents Germany and Spain – and the French partner, Dassault Aviation, are locked in a battle over the jet part of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a wide-ranging project that will also include autonomous drones and a futuristic “combat communications cloud”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Local reporter ‘shocked’ over picture of his face on punchbag at UK town hall
Joe McCann of the Melksham News was tipped off by a contact about the image and raised issue at council meetingA local newspaper journalist has said he was “shocked” after a picture of his face was printed out and attached to a punchbag at a town hall.Joe McCann, who has worked for the Melksham News for 10 years, was tipped off by a contact that a print-out of his face had been attached to a freestanding punchbag inside the building. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘We’re no longer attracting top talent’: the brain drain killing American science
As Trump slashes science funding, young researchers flee abroad. Without solid innovation, the US could cease to have the largest biomedical ecosystem in the worldIn April 2025, less than three months after Donald Trump returned to the White House, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) put out its latest public health alert on so-called “superbugs”, strains of bacteria resistant to antibiotics.These drug-resistant germs, the CDC warned, are responsible for more than 3m infections in the US each year, claiming the lives of up to 48,000 Americans. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘DEI is dead, equality isn’t’: experts chart path forward amid Trump’s culture war
Two law professors outline strategies for equality’s survival in a Trumpian post-DEI era in new book How Equality WinsThe Trump administration’s “war on woke” seems to have claimed its biggest victim in DEI. Not so long ago, diversity, equity and inclusion was the favorite term of Fortune 500 CEOs and the political elite. More recently, it has been blamed for everything from the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore and the deadly Los Angeles wildfires to the crash between a regional jet and a helicopter in Washington DC.“DEI means people DIE,” Elon Musk wrote last year. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Airbus falls 6% after targeting only 870 deliveries this year as Boeing competition tightens
The sentiment around Airbus has turned markedly more sour since the beginning of the year.
theguardian.com
Leicester and Premier League appeal over club’s six-point deduction
Club unhappy sanction applied in ChampionshipPremier League seeking additional punishmentLeicester City’s legal battle with the Premier League continues to rumble on as both parties formally lodged appeals related to this month’s decision by an independent commission to deduct the club six points.It is understood the league believes Leicester should be punished additionally for the late submission of their annual accounts for 2023-24, to avoid setting a precedent, and said an appeal board will “urgently” hear the case to ensure it is resolved before the end of the English Football League season in May. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Dennis the Menace featured on 50p coin to mark 75 years
The new coin has been made with with Beano, Britain's longest-running weekly comic, first published in 1938
bbc.com
Etsy sells second-hand fashion app Depop to eBay for $1.2bn
The "pre-loved" fashion firm has been sold by Etsy just five years after it bought the firm.
cnbc.com
Nestle plans sale of ice cream business as fourth-quarter sales growth beats estimates
Nestle shares rose 3% Thursday after the maker of Nescafé and KitKat reported organic sales growth for the fourth quarter that beat analyst forecasts.
theguardian.com
Trump’s bid to name Penn Station after himself looks like a presidential shakedown | Mohamad Bazzi
The US president’s relentless self-aggrandizement spree continues amid hypocrisy and shifting explanationsAs a real estate developer, Donald Trump built his empire on ostentatious displays of wealth, substantial tax breaks – and lots of free publicity. As president, he has deployed the power of the state to expand his personal brand, adding his name to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the US Institute of Peace, a class of new navy warships, and even investment accounts for millions of children.Trump is now eyeing yet more grandiose targets in his self-aggrandizement spree. He wants Congress to rename New York’s Penn Station and Washington Dulles international airport in his honor. But there’s a catch: Trump reportedly told Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, that he would unfreeze billions of dollars in federal funding for a major infrastructure project in the north-east – if Schumer supported renaming the two sites.Mohamad Bazzi is director of the Center for Near Eastern Studies, and a journalism professor, at New York University Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘We are the forgotten little town’: will disenchantment in Denton leave it ripe for Reform?
With Gorton split between Labour and Greens, division creates opportunity for Farage’s party in other side of constituency facing byelectionIf you’re unsure whether you’ve crossed the border from Manchester into Tameside, the Reform posters will probably give it away. In windows, on walls, and staked on garden posts, Denton is awash with turquoise blue as the 26 February byelection looms.Near the town centre, Ian Singleton and his wife, Irene, have one of Reform’s turquoise banners standing proudly in their front yard. Ian was born in Gorton, in Manchester, but for the best part of the last three decades, the couple have lived on the other side of the constituency, in Denton. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Warmer weather hits profits at British Gas owner
Savvy bill payers shopping around for fixed-tariff energy deals also dented earnings at British Gas.
theguardian.com
Reporter confronts Melksham councillors over punchbag bearing his face found in town hall – video
The journalist Joe McCann brought a photograph of the punchbag bearing his image to a council meeting in the Wiltshire town of Melksham, demanding an explanation. One councillor apologised 'unreservedly' for what he described as a 'bad joke'An earlier headline incorrectly stated that the councillors were members of Wiltshire Council. The video was recorded at Melksham Town Council. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Vietnamese airlines sign deals for nearly 100 Boeing jets during party chief’s Washington visit
The deals include commitments from Vietnam Airlines, Sun PhuQuoc Airways and VietJet.
theguardian.com
MPs in call to halt Drax’s £2m-a-day subsidy over sustainability doubts
Exclusive: Cross-party group ‘deeply concerned’ power plant may have misled ministers and regulators over source of wood pelletsEd Miliband is under pressure from MPs to suspend subsidies worth £2m a day paid to the owner of the Drax power plant in North Yorkshire after court documents cast doubt on the company’s sustainability claims.A cross-party group of 14 MPs and peers have called on the energy minister to halt the subsidies for Britain’s biggest power plant while the financial watchdog investigates the company’s claims about how it sources the millions of tonnes of wood pellets burned to generate electricity. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘They pushed so many lies about recycling’: the fight to stop big oil pumping billions more into plastics
Plastic production has doubled over the last 20 years – and will likely double again. For author Beth Gardiner, metal water bottles and canvas tote bags are not the solution. So what is?Like many of us who are mindful of our plastic consumption, Beth Gardiner would take her own bags to the supermarket and be annoyed whenever she forgot to do so. Out without her refillable bottle, she would avoid buying bottled water. “Here I am, in my own little life, worrying about that and trying to use less plastic,” she says. Then she read an article in this newspaper, just over eight years ago, and discovered that fossil fuel companies had ploughed more than $180bn (£130bn) into plastic plants in the US since 2010. “It was a kick in the teeth,” says Gardiner. “You’re telling me that while I am beating myself up because I forgot to bring my water bottle, all these huge oil companies are pouring billions …” She looks appalled. “It was just such a shock.”Two months before that piece was published, a photograph of a seahorse clinging to a plastic cotton bud had gone viral; two years before that England followed Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and introduced a charge for carrier bags. “I was one of so many people who were trying to use less plastic – and it just felt like such a moment of revelation: these companies are, on the contrary, increasing production and wanting to push [plastic use] up and up.” Then, says Gardiner, as she started researching her book Plastic Inc: Big Oil, Big Money and the Plan to Trash our Future, “it only becomes more shocking.” Continue reading...
bbc.com
Why there's no quick fix in sight for the problem of dazzling headlights
Road users say headlight glare is an issue - but experts warn a solution might not be straightforward.
theguardian.com
Ebay buys Depop for $1.2bn in effort to lure younger shoppers
Deal agreed to acquire British secondhand fashion resale app from Etsy as eBay attempts to fend off AmazonGen Z in the US: how are you feeling about your finances?The online retailer eBay has agreed to buy the British secondhand fashion resale app Depop from Etsy for about $1.2bn (£890m) in cash, as eBay targets younger fashion-loving consumers.The deal comes at a time when secondhand marketplaces continue to soar in popularity, especially among gen Z shoppers – born between 1997 and 2012 – amid a squeeze on household incomes and concerns about sustainability in fashion. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Centrica boss to get £3.6m bonus despite sharp fall in profits
Chris O’Shea will receive a total of £4.7m despite British Gas owner suffering a shareholder rebellionThe owner of British Gas will hand its chief executive, Chris O’Shea, another salary increase despite a shareholder rebellion over its decision to raise his pay last year while households faced record levels of energy debt.O’Shea will receive £4.7m for 2025 after Centrica increased his base salary from £855,000 to £1.1m. He will also receive a £1.4m bonus – half in shares, which vest in three years – and £2.2m from the company’s long-term investment plan. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
'Do not give away Diego Garcia': Trump attacks the UK over Chagos Islands deal, again
Trump told the U.K. not to "give away" the Chagos Islands, which is where a joint U.S.-U.K. military base is located.
bbc.com
Bill Gates pulls out of India's AI summit over Epstein files controversy
The Gates Foundation said the decision was made to "ensure the focus remains on the summit's key priorities".
cnbc.com
CNBC's Inside India newsletter: India is throwing its weight behind AI — but is there substance behind the headlines?
Some of these obstacles include the lack of regulation clear enough to encourage the best AI businesses to come to India and the need for capital infusion.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Positive day for U.S. and European markets amid Fed minutes and ECB developments
Traders think there's a roughly 50% of the Fed cutting rates in June. They should start considering the possibility of higher interest rates, too.
theguardian.com
If Keir Starmer is ousted, Labour could still win the next election. Here’s how that would work | Larry Elliott
Once a PM is seen as hapless, there is no way back. But Labour has good plans – and with the political landscape fragmented, it could yet prevail Continue reading...
bbc.com
'We're still on edge': Toy firms look to US Supreme Court as tariffs hit profits
"You cannot go to sleep on this president," says one toymaker, of the ongoing uncertainty over trade policy.
cnbc.com
Quantum's big leap puts data centers in the spotlight
Quantum is advancing rapidly, sparking discussions about how the powerful computers will integrate with industries like the already booming data center sector.
theguardian.com
I’m putting tech firms on notice: deal with the appalling abuse of women online – or we will deal with you | Keir Starmer
I see violence against women as a national emergency. The posting of non-consensual intimate images is part of that crisis, and it must stopTackling violence against women and girls is not just a priority for my government. It is central to who I am.Before entering politics, when I led the Crown Prosecution Service as director of public prosecutions, I worked with victims of rape, domestic abuse and sexual violence, and I saw, up close, the lifelong damage these crimes cause. And I learned that when systems fail victims, the harm does not end, it deepens.Keir Starmer is UK prime ministerDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Why India joining this U.S.-led tech alliance could help supply chains
India is joining the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative, giving Washington its biggest win yet in the race to shape and influence who has access to advanced semiconductors and AI infrastructure supply chains.
theguardian.com
Bill Gates cancels keynote speech in India amid questions over Epstein ties
Billionaire Microsoft co-founder pulls out of India’s AI Impact Summit to ‘ensure the focus’ remains on event’s ‘key priorities’Bill Gates has pulled out of a keynote address at the AI Impact Summit in India as he continues to face questions over his relationship with the deceased child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.The billionaire Microsoft co-founder travelled to India, where his foundation works with the government on delivering AI for social good, earlier this week and was advertised as speaking at the international summit shortly after the country’s prime minister, Narendra Modi. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Retailers in UK plan to cut staff hours and jobs amid rising employment costs
BRC survey finds finance bosses expect technology to improve productivity, with 69% pessimistic about the economyUK retailers are planning to cut staff hours and jobs amid rising employment costs and pessimism about the economy.More than half (52%) of finance bosses at retail companies said they planned to reduce working hours or cut overtime, according to the latest survey from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the trade body that represents most big retailers. Almost half (48%) said they would cut head office jobs and 32% said they would reduce jobs in stores. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Zuckerberg defends Meta in landmark social media addiction trial
The billionaire boss said he "always" regretted not making faster progress to identify users under 13.
bbc.com
Reeves fixated on 'dysfunctional' borrowing rules, says IFS
The think tank suggests the chancellor's fiscal rules need to shift the focus from one key figure.
bbc.com
Tech firms will have 48 hours to remove abusive images under new law
The government is proposing that intimate image abuse should be treated more severely.
bbc.com
The two farms in Senegal that supply many of the UK's vegetables
During winter in Britain fresh produce is sent by cargo ship from the West African nation every week.
theguardian.com
Tech firms must remove ‘revenge porn’ in 48 hours or risk being blocked, says Starmer
PM says measure, also applied to deepfake nudes, is needed owing to a ‘national emergency’ of online misogynyDeepfake nudes and “revenge porn” must be removed from the internet within 48 hours or technology firms risk being blocked in the UK, Keir Starmer has said, calling it a “national emergency” that the government must confront.Companies could be fined millions or even blocked altogether if they allow the images to spread or be reposted after victims give notice. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Trump adviser calls for Fed economists to be 'disciplined'
Kevin Hassett criticised a New York Fed study into tariffs and the impact on US firms and consumers.
theguardian.com
Tesla avoids California sales ban by removing ‘autopilot’ from marketing
State regulators walk back suspension threat and say Tesla has stopped misleading drivers about the safety of its carsTesla will avoid a 30-day suspension of its dealer and manufacturer licenses in California, its biggest market, after the US electric vehicle maker stopped using the term “autopilot” in the marketing of its vehicles in the state.Tesla now uses the term “supervised” in references to its full self-driving technology and has stopped using “autopilot” entirely in its marketing in the state. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Oil jumps 4% after Vance says Iran ignored key U.S. demands, military strikes on the table
Oil traders are worried that war between the U.S. and Iran could lead to a major disruption of crude supplies in the Middle East.
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on UK-EU defence: moving in the right direction, much too slowly
The threat of Russian aggression makes a compelling case for urgent continental cooperationFor Vladimir Putin, peace talks with Ukraine are war pursued by other means. That is why progress has been so slow in negotiations, which resumed in Geneva this week. The Russian president demands the surrender of territory that his army has failed so far to win in combat. Since Mr Putin cannot be trusted to honour any agreement, Volodymyr Zelenskyy rightly insists on robust security guarantees. The Kremlin remains committed to restoring national pride through territorial expansion. Mr Putin might accept a lull in the Ukraine conflict, but only to regroup. He must be deterred from resuming a campaign aimed at extinguishing Ukraine’s sovereignty.His country’s economy and propaganda apparatus are increasingly oriented towards sustaining a long war. He has shown little sign of abandoning efforts to weaken Nato and punish European democracies for backing Kyiv. The intent is signalled by a campaign of constant provocations: sabotage, maritime and air incursions, cyber-attacks and online disinformation.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on Scotland’s housing crisis: supply has failed to keep pace with need
The country’s homelessness legislation is ambitious and humane. But too many people are still sleeping on the streets or in temporary accommodationRough sleeping in Scotland has risen by 106% over the past three years. Record numbers of children are now living in temporary accommodation, official figures released this month show. In Glasgow, the city council leader warned last year that the authority had run out of temporary housing. This looks like a system approaching crisis point.The paradox is that Scotland has some of the strongest homelessness protections in Europe. More than a decade ago, the Scottish parliament abolished the “priority need” test, creating a statutory duty on councils to secure permanent accommodation for all unintentionally homeless applicants. The charity Shelter considered Scotland to have had “the best homelessness law in Europe”. But having a legal right to a home doesn’t mean having a home.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Plan to increase youth minimum wage could be delayed
Government sources tell BBC News they could slow down plans to make minimum wage equal across age groups.
theguardian.com
‘By the end of the day we’re just knackered’: business booms for UK’s south Asian jewellers as gold prices soar
Economic uncertainty drives customers to snap up 22-carat gold bars and coins or sell off unworn jewellery“With everything that’s going on in the economy and Donald Trump banging his chest against the world, we’re finding there’s no trust in the banks because we don’t know what’s going to happen,” Sandeep Kanda says.Kanda is the owner of Sunny Jewellers, situated along a stretch of Leicester known as the Golden Mile, and is a beneficiary of consumers seeking alternative investments amid the uncertainty. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Britons living in EU face repayment hikes amid Reeves student loans row
Exclusive: UK graduates in Germany, Belgium and possibly other countries informed of rises as salary threshold is cutBritons living in some European countries face a huge rise in their student loan repayments later this year, the Guardian can reveal, in a move that threatens to trigger a fresh backlash for Rachel Reeves.UK graduates working in Germany and Belgium – and possibly other countries – have been told that their monthly repayments will increase from April, the Guardian can reveal. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump has done more than harm the government’s ability to fight global heating | Jamil Smith
By repealing the EPA’s determination that greenhouse gases threaten public health, the president is denying reality itselfThe climate crisis is killing people. These deaths are measurable, documented and ongoing. Concluding otherwise is just playing pretend. Studies explain the mechanics, but lived experience supplies the truth. The people who suffer the consequences see the fire rising and water closing in. They need their government’s help.Despite that, the president of the United States stood at a microphone last Thursday and abdicated his duty to them. “It has nothing to do with public health,” he claimed about the climate crisis while announcing that the federal government would repeal the Environmental Protection Agency’s “endangerment finding”, a determination that greenhouse gases endanger human health and welfare. “This is all a scam, a giant scam.”Jamil Smith is a Guardian US columnist Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Household energy bills in Great Britain forecast to fall by £117 a year
Consultancy’s prediction comes after Rachel Reeves said green subsidy costs would be removed from domestic billsHousehold energy costs in Great Britain are expected to tumble by an average of £117 a year from April after Rachel Reeves announced in November’s budget that the cost of green subsidies would be removed from domestic bills.The government’s quarterly cap on energy bills is forecast to fall after the chancellor’s decision to shift the levies used to support renewable energy projects into general taxation, and scrap a bill payer-funded energy efficiency scheme, according to Cornwall Insight, a leading energy consultancy. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Defence giant BAE hails record sales as workers remain on strike
Defence company BAE has increased payouts to investors after its sales increased but staff in Lancashire have walked out over stalled pay talks
theguardian.com
Speeding, jaywalkers and imported ‘clunkers’: Romania in safety drive to improve EU’s deadliest roads
Government has taken first serious steps to crack down on dangerous driving but pace of change is frustrating campaignersThe first time Lucian Mîndruță crashed his car, he swerved to avoid a village dog and hit another vehicle. The second time, he missed a right-of-way sign and was struck by a car at a junction. The third time, ice sent him skidding off the road and into two trees. Crashes four to eight, he said, were bumper-scratches in traffic too minor to mention.That Mîndruță escaped those collisions with his life – and without having taken anyone else’s – is not a given in Romania. Home to the deadliest roads in the EU, its poor infrastructure, weak law enforcement and aggressive driving culture led to 78 people per million dying in traffic in 2024. Almost half of the 1,500 annual fatalities are vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. Continue reading...
bbc.com
'Check your payslip' warns nurse who overpaid nearly £3k in tax
Gemma Belby says she only found she was paying "double tax" after chatting with her colleagues.
theguardian.com
The bogus four-day workweek that AI supposedly ‘frees up’
Business leaders tout AI as a path to shorter weeks and better balance. But without power, workers are unlikely to share the gainsThe front-page headline in a recent Washington Post was breathless: “These companies say AI is key to their four-day workweeks.” The subhead was euphoric: “Some companies are giving workers back more time as artificial intelligence takes over more tasks.”As the Post explained: “more companies may move toward a shortened workweek, several executives and researchers predict, as workers, especially those in younger generations, continue to push for better work-life balance.”Robert Reich, a former US secretary of labor, is a professor of public policy emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a Guardian US columnist and his newsletter is at robertreich.substack.com. His new book, Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America, is out now Continue reading...
bbc.com
Are UK interest rates expected to fall soon?
The interest rate set by the Bank of England affects mortgage, loan and savings rates for millions.
theguardian.com
‘Like an electrical gong bath!’ The Sheffield supermarket going viral for the symphonic sound of its freezers
Redditors are thrilled by the Co-op on Ecclesall Road, where a magnificent drone is reminiscent of Brian Eno’s ambient music. We take a visit to the back aislesThere’s a new sound gripping Sheffield. You won’t find it at one of the city’s eclectic jazz nights; nor in any of its clubs or live music venues. You’ll find it in the back aisle of a Co-op supermarket on Ecclesall Road.“Anyone noticed how nice the freezers sound in the eccy road co-op?” someone wrote on the Sheffield Reddit page in January. “It’s like all the fans have been carefully tuned to the calmest droning chord ever, it’s like being in an electrical gong bath.” Continue reading...
bbc.com
Reform plans to keep UK's budget watchdog
Robert Jenrick promises to reform the OBR, rather than abolish it, in a move to reassure financial markets.
bbc.com
Why are UK prices still rising?
UK Inflation has dropped back from record highs but remains above the Bank of England's 2% target.
theguardian.com
The brutal hunt for low-paid work: ‘It’s like The Hunger Games – but for a job folding clothes’
It used to be fairly easy to get work that paid at or around the minimum wage. But with a shrinking number of positions come ever more hoops to jump through, from personality tests, to trial shifts, to towers constructed of marshmallowsIt is 10.30am, and Zahra is sitting in a business centre in Preston, attaching marshmallows to sticks of uncooked spaghetti. There are 30 interview candidates in the grey-carpeted room, split into groups of five, competing to build food towers. Already today they have had to solve anagrams, complete quizzes and rank the importance of various kitchen items. Just to be shortlisted for this two-hour interview round, Zahra had to write an online application consisting of 10 paragraphs about her work experience. As she builds her spaghetti and marshmallow tower, she thinks: “What am I actually doing here? This doesn’t relate to the job at all.”The job in question is not what Zahra, 20, plans to do for ever. It is as a crew member for Wingstop, a chicken shop chain, with a salary of £10.80 an hour – 80p an hour above minimum wage for her age range. During the interview, she says, “a woman with a notepad was staring at us, and all the shift managers were watching. It was so awkward.” A week or so later, Zahra received a short rejection email. “It felt like a waste of time,” she says. “What a joke.” Continue reading...
bbc.com
Lower fuel prices and airfares help drive inflation down
The rate at which prices are rising is slowing down, which could lead to lower interest rates.
cnbc.com
More than 50% of enterprise software could switch to AI, Mistral CEO says
Software stocks have sold off on fears AI could eat into so-called software as a service, or SaaS, business models.
bbc.com
Rise in tax-free pay allowance 'totally positive'
The Local Economy Forum welcomes a £2,250 rise in the personal allowance on the Isle of Man.
bbc.com
I invested £12,000 in Brewdog - I think I've lost it all
More than 200,000 people bought Equity for Punks shares in the craft brewer but many now believe they are worthless.
theguardian.com
Should we be impressed or worried by China's humanoid robot display? – video
China Media Group's 2026 Spring Festival Gala drew widespread attention with a performance of humanoid robots that appeared to do martial arts alongside young performers. However, as the videos spread, viewers expressed both admiration and unease over the accelerating development of the machines. Experts have mixed views. China’s dancing robots: how worried should we be? Continue reading...
theguardian.com
From the archive: ‘Who remembers proper binmen?’ The nostalgia memes that help explain Britain today – podcast
We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors.This week, from 2022: Idealising the past is nothing new, but there is something peculiarly revealing about the way a certain generation of Facebook users look back fondly on tougher timesBy Dan Hancox. Read by Dermot Daly Continue reading...
bbc.com
'I do not trust them' - top streamers left concerned by Discord age checks
The platform's plan to roll out global age checks has caused concern in streaming communities.
bbc.com
Illegal skin lightening cream being sold in UK butchers, watchdog warns
A trade body has warned illegal skin bleaching products are being sold in an increasingly wide range of places.
bbc.com
Bayer offers $7.25bn to settle weedkiller cancer claims
The company has faced years of legal battles over Roundup, a weedkiller made by Monsanto.
bbc.com
Why youth unemployment is rising
Unemployment in the UK rose to its highest rate in nearly five years at the end of 2025
bbc.com
Shein under EU investigation over childlike sex dolls
Europe is examining whether the fast fashion giant breached the Digital Services Act.
bbc.com
'The search is soul-destroying': Young jobseekers on the struggle to find work
People aged between 16 and 24 are bearing the brunt of a weak employment market, figures show.
bbc.com
UK unemployment hits highest rate for nearly five years
It marks the highest rate since the Covid pandemic, official figures show.
bbc.com
Netflix and Paramount are battling for Warner Bros. Who is likely to win?
What to know about the two firms' blockbuster battle to control Warner Bros Discovery.
theguardian.com
David Squires on … Jim Ratcliffe’s comments and his need for some home truths
Our cartoonist reflects on the Manchester United co-owner’s recent statements and electioneering, via the prism of Cracker’s DCI BilboroughBuy this cartoon | David’s favourite works of 2025And his latest book, Chaos in the Box: get it now Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Openreach said yes to full fibre broadband, then branded it ‘uneconomical’
Its ‘fibre checker’ tool confirmed I could have a connection, but a month later it changed its mindMy internet provider informed me by email that full fibre broadband had become available for my property, confirmed by Openreach’s “fibre checker” tool. After a month, Openreach declared the connection uneconomical due to blockages in the conduits below the road. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Reddit's human content wins amid the AI flood
Reddit says its human contributors are valued amid an internet awash with AI-generated content.
bbc.com
Trump eyes Venezuela visit – but obstacles to his oil plan remain
The US president wants American energy firms to start extracting the crude but they are reluctant.
theguardian.com
Why did I get a £100 parking fine when charging my electric car?
The charger firm claimed the site operated 24 hours a day, but the parking operator had different ideasI charged my electric car at the 24-hour Mer EV charging station in my local B&Q car park.I then received a £100 parking charge notice (PCN) from the car park operator, Ocean Parking. It said no parking is allowed on the site between 9pm and 6am. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Why you should consider switching bank accounts
Martin Lewis explains why now might be a good time to think about changing your bank account.
bbc.com
The US economy is growing - so where are all the jobs?
As hiring rates and job openings drop, some worry a tough job market could be here to stay.
bbc.com
Get a grip: Robotics firms struggle to develop hands
Developing a durable and affordable hand is one of the biggest challenges in robotics.
bbc.com
Thousands queue as beauty store arrives on island of Ireland
Almost 2,000 people joined the queue for the opening of a new store in Belfast this morning.
bbc.com
Who is billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe and how did he make his money?
The industrialist and Manchester United co-owner has apologised over comments he made about immigration.
bbc.co.uk
The Bottom Line
Why do private landlords attract so much criticism – and how fair is it?
bbc.com
The Dutch love four-day working weeks, but are they sustainable?
The Netherlands has the lowest working hours in Europe, but some say it is harming its economy.
bbc.com
How £50m 'fish disco' could save farmland
Innovative tech scares fish away from nuclear cooling pipes.
bbc.com
Why food fraud persists, even with improving tech
Even with sophisticated technology it is still difficult to detect fake foods.
bbc.com
Plane makers chase Asia's super-rich with luxe new private jets
Parts of the aviation industry are shifting towards wealthy customers and selling a more luxurious type of international travel.
bbc.com
The real impact of roadworks on the country - and why they're set to get worse
There is a fine balance between the benefits of improved infrastructure, versus the cost of disruption. Does the country have it right?
bbc.com
Why the railways often seem to be in such chaos over Christmas
Parts of Britain’s rail network will close for engineering work over the festive period - but is that the right time to do it?
bbc.com
Budget 2025: What's the best and worst that could happen for Labour?
Three days in, after a tax U-turn and partial climbdown on workers' rights, Laura Kuenssberg looks at what impact Budget week might have.
bbc.com
Has Britain's budget watchdog become too all-powerful?
Ahead of this week's Budget, some have accused the Office for Budget Responsibility of being a "straitjacket on growth"
bbc.com
The curious case of why Poundland is struggling during a cost-of-living crisis
Why - in an age where so many of us are feeling the financial pinch - are some budget shops on UK high streets having such a tough time?
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